Lares - Machu Picchu Trek

Best time: All Year
Timing: 5 days Trek and Tour
Grade: Moderate

A great hike from Huaran to Cancha Cancha – Quishuarani - Cuncani Lares Town(Hot Sprint) – Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes Town and final day includes a full day tour of Machu Picchu Inka city.

Leaving from the Sacred Valley, on the first day we walk on an original Inca Trail, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna, including indigenous plants used for natural dyes.

The next day we begin a steep ascent towards Pachacutec pass (4,697 m /15,406 ft), surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Suerococha. From the pass, we follow a trail that slowly descends, with a permanent view of Colque Cruz, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Sirihuani and Chicon snow capped mountains. On the third day we see the Chicon glacier and the 7 lakes with huallatas, (Andean geese) ducks and other water fowl, and enjoy the medicinal waters of Lares hot springs, an amazing trip.

TREK ITINERARY

Day 01: Cusco / Cancha Cancha Community

We'll pick you up from your Hotel at 6:00am the we leave Cusco by car, on the route to Pisaq until arriving at Huaran creek (2,950 m/9,676 ft). Here we start to hike up a small side valley that narrows gradually while ascending on an original Inca Trail, enjoying a variety of native flora and fauna. After a 3 hour hike, we arrive at Cancha Cancha (4,000m / 13,192 ft.), where we will be received with some typical food and have the opportunity to share an insight into the traditional lifestyle and culture of this Andean community.

Day 02: Cancha Cancha / Quiswarani
After breakfast we start slowly uphill until reaching Accopata, an extension of Cancha Cancha Community, where shepherds live in typical stone and ichu (straw) roof huts. There we begin a steep ascent towards Pachacutec pass (4,697 m /15,406 ft), surrounded by views of the beautiful lakes of Azulcocha and Suerococha. From the pass, we follow a trail that slowly descends, with a permanent view of Colque Cruz, Pitusiray, Sawasiray, Sirihuani and Chicon snow capped mountains. We traverse Collaycocha Lake (4,200 m. / 16,000 ft.), reaching a waterfall approaching the Community of Quiswarani (3,902 m. / 12,798 ft.), where we camp enjoying traditional food and spending our time with children and women weavers.

Day 03: Quiswarani / Cuncani

As we leave our campsite, towards to the Huillquijasa pass (4,457 m. / 14,618 ft.) we will see the Chicon and Colque Cruz glaciers and the 7 lakes full of huallatas (Andean geese), ducks and other water fowl. Over the high point we continue downhill until we reach the community of Cuncani (3,886 m/12,746 ft.), a picturesque village, similar to the previous campsite. This was the last refuge of the Royal Panakas, an Inca sect. After our picnic lunch continue past a narrow valley, full of spectacular giant stones, to reach the Trapiche Valley floor.In the afternoon we will continue on the trail along changing puna, lakes and agricultural areas with roaming deer until we arrive in Cuncani 3h later, where we will have supper and camp.

Day 04: Cuncani / Lares / Ollantaytambo / Aguas Calientes

We leave Cuncani at 8.00am to walk down a fertile valley with typical vegetation, crops and agricultural communities. Along the trail we will see native flowers such as begonias and wild orchids. After an approximately 2h walk we will arrive in Lares (3261 m / 10,696 ft.), capital of the district with the same name, a large village whose principal attraction are its pleasant hot springs, where we can enjoy a dip. After having lunch, we will board a private car that will take us back to Ollantaytambo. From here on we can take a 3 hours car ride to Ollantaytambo for the extension trip to visit Machu Picchu. We take the train around 4:00pm to Aguas Calientes.

Day 05: Machu Picchu Guided Tour
Early wake Up (by 05: 30a.m.), Breakfast and after to leave our Luggage at the Hotel, we will take the early Tourist bus Up to Machu Picchu, of Course with a guide English speaking, Usually we use to get Machu Picchu by 6: 50 a.m., so from this time we will be able to visit Machu Picchu of course at this time Machu Picchu is pretty empty and we will have the best chance to enjoy the beauty and the magic of Machu Picchu, because at this time is quiet. A guided tour of about 2:30 hours, and then you will have "happy hour time", to explore by yourself the whole site for about 3 hours and there is time as well to climb Huayna Picchu mountain and get the best view over Machu Picchu it takes 1: 40 minutes round trip time, or option to go to the temple of the moon which is located behind Huayna Picchu Mountain.

Contact: info@peruviantreks.com for more information and pricing on these Peru treks and hikes